The upgrade of additional F-16 fighter jets to the Viper configuration, along with the procurement of advanced missiles and bombs for F-16s, F-35s, and Black Hawk helicopters, are at the heart of a defense agreement worth up to $4 billion between Greece and the United States, according to two senior sources who spoke to Reuters. Greece had already planned defense spending of approximately €28 billion through 2036, which includes the purchase of American F-35 fighter jets and helicopters, as well as the development of the “Shield of Achilles” — a multi-layered ballistic and anti-aircraft missile defense system featuring Israeli-made weapons systems, the news agency reports.
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Reuters: New missiles and bombs for F-16s, F-35s, and Black Hawks
“The agreement includes new advanced missiles and bombs for the F-16 Viper and F-35 fighter jets, as well as for Black Hawk helicopters. It also provides for the upgrade of older F-16 aircraft to the Viper configuration,” a senior Ministry of National Defense official told Reuters. The same source added that most of the procurements have already been incorporated into the government’s multi-year defense program and are not expected to place any additional burden on the country’s public finances.
A senior Foreign Ministry official confirmed the information, clarifying that costs will be spread over several years, Reuters notes.
During his visit to Athens on Wednesday, Marco Rubio announced that the two NATO allies had agreed on a joint security framework for sharing intelligence between relevant law enforcement agencies, with the goal of combating terrorism.
In 2024, Greece agreed to purchase 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets and 35 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. The country is also moving forward with the upgrade of approximately 82 F-16 fighter jets to the Viper standard, while Athens is pursuing the upgrade of an additional 37 F-16 Block 50 aircraft to the same configuration, at an estimated cost of around $1 billion.
Reuters notes that these moves are part of Greece’s broader effort to modernize its armed forces, as the country has emerged from its debt crisis of 2009–2018, which was marked by years of austerity measures.
Greece spends nearly 3.5% of its GDP on defense — a figure higher than many other NATO member states — owing to its longstanding dispute with Turkey, the report concludes.
